TEMPLE OF THE 18 ARHATS

Playtesters: Kenny Yeung, Ryan Turner and Bret Betnar 

This is a Strange Tales of Songling temple exploration adventure for 3-6 characters of high level. The tone is more whimsical than the previous two entries in this series. However, it is still potentially lethal and the light tone is contrasted with horror. Characters have a higher risk of dying, so players should make backup PCs. 

 

This adventure was inspired by the Pu Songling story The Large Scorpion. Like other sources of inspiration, I encourage the GM to read The Large Scorpion if they have access to it, but it isn’t essential to understanding the adventure. 

 

Note: I playtested this adventure once and am still playtesting it, so the contents of this entry are subject to change should I make revisions over the course of the next playtests. 

 

SYNOPSIS

The players are sent to the Temple of the 18 Arhats, to explore and find the evil at its core and possibly uncover a weapon of advanced design. There they face eighteen mechanized Arhat statue guardians, discovering the temple’s grim history and a terrible black scorpion that haunts its halls. 

 

THE HOOK
The characters can go to the temple for any number of reasons: to obtain a specific sutra, to inspect it for a local official or help locals rid it of the nefarious presence of the black scorpion. The method I used was having them hired by a military official who has heard rumors of a complex weapon in the temple and wants a thorough report on its engineering. This is intended to be a tough adventure so I used this hook with a general camped at the base of the mountain hiring heroes to retrieve the engineering designs from the temple (this allows for a fresh supply of new characters as PCs die). See GENERAL PENG’S CAMP below for details. 

 

BACKGROUND

The temple of the 18 Arhats was founded by an Abbot named Tranquility. Originally, he led a small community of monks, living simply by the mountain pool. They arrived several hundred years ago, during a wave of invasions that eventually saw the empire toppled and overtaken by western nomads. Before the empire was conquered, The Temple of 18 Arhats was fitted with an array of mechanical defenses to protect their sacred Buddhist scriptures. In that time, it was visited by a wandering beggar and magician, called Black Scorpion, because he was known to keep such a creature as his favorite pet. He impressed the monks and abbot with his sleight of hand and was given hospitality for the month. But he used his skills to evade their mechanical guardians and stole several scriptures. The monks chased him into the surrounding mountains and cornered him near the edge of a steep cliff. In the heat of the scuffle, the magician’s scorpion stung the abbot. Knowing instantly it was a lethal venom, the Abbot felt a surge of sudden anger and without thinking thrust the magician off the cliff.

 

Filled with a guilt the monks and abbot Tranquility returned to the temple. Ten days later, the abbot was near death and retreated to a cavern to meditate and stave off the venom’s effect. The black scorpion returned to the temple, stinging each of the monks over the course of days, devouring most and leaving some to die of their stings. With each person it consumed, the Scorpion grew, and each of the monks he ate returned in spirit to the temple as black kite birds that hungered for human flesh. Those who died of their sting, but were not eaten, rose up as undead servants. Now the temple stands in ruin, inhabited by the birds and scorpion, always protected by its mechanical guardians. The Abbot remains in meditation, hidden in his cavern, nearly a mummified corpse. 

 

RUNNING THE ADVENTURE
This adventure is potentially lethal, due to the volume of encounters and lower Max Wounds of Strange Tales of Songling characters. Some methods of healing can be found within the temple to make this easier, but death is a possible outcome for characters. The GM is encouraged to embrace this but should have players make backup characters who can quickly join the group in the event of character death. The GM may also consider running this using the Strange Sandbox method outlines on page 35 of STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING. That would allow for greater survivability. The main way for players to survive is to avoid combat when possible, often by running away or confronting guardians cautiously. 

 

The GM should emphasize to players that running from threats is an option. Even threats as deadly as the Black Scorpion, can be evaded in this way, and will eventually lose interest in them if they run and hide long enough. When characters run from a monster, simply use opposed Speed rolls to see if they can initially escape and follow up these with additional opposed rolls to see if the monster keeps pace or catches up, should it give chase. There is no formal procedure here, but generally I use one initial roll to escape, and once distance is maintained, I require monsters to succeed to keep pace, catching up on a total success. This is all very flexible however and a matter of rulings arising organically from what players try to do. 

 

SURROUNDING AREA 

Anyone approaching the cliff by the stairs can see the Black Kite Birds glaring at them from the cliff’s edge. At this point they simply try to ward people away by making them fearful.  

 

GENERAL PENG’S CAMP

General Peng Wuning has an encampment at the base of the mountain with nearly 3,000 soldiers for his campaign securing the frontier. A forceful man with high ambition, he wants to obtain the weaponry rumored to be at The Temple of the 18 Arhats. He has sent out word to recruit, seeking worthy people to go into the temple in small squads of 4-6. He is offering 100,000 coins to anyone who brings him back enough knowledge to re-engineer the deadly system found in the temple. If the PCs answer his call, he signs them up and sends them to the temple as a unit. He gives them four messenger pigeons and instructs them to send word of how many men died should they need reinforcements (in which case he will send that number up the mountain to join them at the temple).

 

If the players ask why he hasn’t sent his soldiers to take care of the issue, he says simply he needs specialists as there are rumors of supernatural hauntings. He also states that he needs his men for his campaign. However if they press him, he confesses that he worries about the impact the haunted temple would have on his men’s morale. 

 

A. MAGICIANS BODY 

The desiccated remains of the Magician can be found here behind the waterfall. If anyone lays them to rest the monks of the temple are liberated (all except for the corpse of the monk controlling the arhats in AREA 17 and the Abbot). 

 

B. MINGXI POOL

These waters are mysteriously calm. It is relatively shallow. If the pond is searched, there is a stone rod with snake carvings that the magician dropped when he fell. This has the power to control snakes. Anyone who drinks the water feels the sensation of falling from a great height and can feel the rush of the falls around their body. This can’t kill the person but it is convincing enough that you should roll 3d10 against Wits. On a Success the person passes out from the shock. 

 

C. MINGXI STONES

Anyone who meditates on these stones has visions of the events at the temple on a Successful Divination roll. 

 

D. TEMPLE STEPS 

These steps are difficult to climb. If one goes slowly there is no danger but any who press for speed, must make an Athletics roll TN 5 to avoid falling (see Black Scorpion Cliffs for details). 

 

E. YANGSHI FALLS

This is a violent waterfall. Any who plunge off it takes 6d10 damage plus 1 Extra wound. 

 

F. BRIDGE OF LOVING KINDNESS 

This is a simple bridge but the creatures of the temple cannot cross it. 

 

G-H. BELL AND DRUM TOWERS

These were used for communication and marking time in the temple but now they are nearly both collapsed. But they still sound to signal each hour. 

 

I. BLACK SCORPION CLIFFS

This steep cliff of snaggy granite is 90 feet high. Mingxi creek flows over its edge into the violent falls of Yanshi, which empty into the mysteriously calm waters of the Mingxi Pool. Around the pool are large boulders, suitable for resting upon, where the monks used to meditate (The Mingxi Stones). A set of narrow stone steps are carved into the cliff and lead to the temple. This is where Black Scorpion Fell to his death, and his body is just behind the falls. Falling off the cliff causes 6d10 Damage. 

 

TEMPLE OF THE 18 ARHATS 

The players can explore the temple freely. The walls of the temple are all 10 feet high and scalable, as it is a courtyard structure. However climbing the walls puts characters at greater risk for encounters with Black Kites (see ENCOUNTERS IN THE TEMPLE BELOW). 

 

ENCOUNTERS IN THE TEMPLE

One character should roll Survival TN 7 for the party every ten minutes. On a Success there are no encounters, on a failure roll on the following table. Also, when players take certain actions you should roll for specific encounters. For example, anyone climbing a wall should make a TN 8 Athletics roll to avoid an encounter with Flesh Eating Black Kites (as they are on the lookout for scaling intruders). This concept can be extrapolated to other regions of the complex. 

 

Treat all the monsters as living entities in the adventure, who can move freely unless otherwise constrained (for example the large spiders found in the Hall of the Boddhisattva may be found elsewhere but the Bronze Lion Guardians in the entrance have more limited mobility). 

 

TABLE ONE: FRONT COURTYARD

Roll 1d10            Result

1                         Yaksha Demon* (STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, 64)

2-3                      Flesh Eating Black Kites 

4-7                      Corpse of the Temple

8-9                      Large Spiders (see AREA 8 A-B)

10                       Black Scorpion 

 

TABLE TWO: CENTRAL COURTYARD

Roll 1d10            Result

1                         Yaksha Demon* (STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, 64)

2                         Flesh Eating Black Kites 

3-4                      Corpse of the Temple

5-6                      Nearest Arhat

7-8                      Large Spiders (see AREA 8 A-B)

9-10                    Black Scorpion 

 

TABLE THREE: INNER COURTYARD 

Roll 1d10            Result 

1                         Yaksha Demon* (STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, 64)

2                         Flesh Eating Black Kites 

3                         Corpse of the Temple

4-5                      Nearest Arhat

6-7                      Large Spiders (see AREA 8 A-B)

8-10                    Black Scorpion 

 

*This is a lone Yaksha demon roaming the temple grounds, a former imperial official named Xu Wanchou, who was working on a gazetteer of the region when he was struck by the statue in 8. HALL OF THE JADE YAKSHA. Use

 

FLESH EATING BLACK KITES
The large black birds were once the monks of the temple but now serve the Black Scorpion by feasting on the flesh of intruders. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness: 2, Evade 7, Wits 6

Key Skills: Attack: 0d10, Speed: 3d10, Muscle: 0d10, Detect: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 1

 

Devour: Roll attack against Evade. On a Success they do 0d10 Damage. If enough damage is done to kill the target, they are stripped of much of their flesh and become a corpse of the temple. On a Total Success the person is stripped completely of flesh. 

 

CORPSE OF THE TEMPLE

These are the bodies of those who died in the temple grounds, many of them monks killed by the Scorpions sting. Any killed by the Scorpion serve its will, those who simply die serve their own desire to punish the living. Most of these beings are too weak to stand and must crawl slowly to kill their target. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 5, Evade 2, Wits 1

Key Skills: Bite: 0d10, Arm Strike: 2d10, Speed: 0d10, Muscle: 3d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Deathly Grip: The corpse can grip targets with crushing force using its Arm Strike, for 1d10 damage plus -1d10 to any skill affected by the damaged limb (if the attack was a success the penalty lasts 10 minutes, if a total success 1d10 hours). 

 

Bite: The bite of a corpse of the temple does 2d10 damage. 

TEMPLE MAP

THE 18 ARHATS AND OTHER GUARDIANS
The temple is protected by 18 hydro-mechanical arhats and a number of other guardians, including bronze lions. These are controlled by a central panel of buttons, cranks and levers, affixed to the temple’s rotating scripture cabinet. According to legend, the system was designed by the great engineer Su Song. This is unlikely as he died before the temple was erected. But the design is similar to his famed astronomical clock tower. From the command center in the scripture hall, the user can control the guardians through a set of chain drives that connect to shafts running under the entire temple. The guardians themselves are attached to these shafts and can freely move on a grid system incorporated into the stonework floor of the temple. The person in command of the guardians can see through their eyes by an elaborate series of mirrors. Without anyone to command the guardians, they can still attack automatically but cannot move. Presently the guardians are commanded by the rotting remains of a monk who is condemned to serve the Black Scorpion in death. 

 

It is important to note that these are mere mechanical representations of the 18 Arhats engineered for the temple, they are not the beings themselves. However some have taken on supernatural properties with time. 

 

SECRET PASSAGE (5A)

There is a secret passage running from area 5 to areas 13, 11 and 14. See AREA 5: HALL OF THE 16^thARHAT and 5A: SECRET PASSAGE for details on it. 

 

1. ENTRANCE GATE AND HALLS

This gate is flanked on either side by two doors that contain bronze lion guardians, each inside a small chamber. The doors to these chambers are closed. The ground of the hall is made from square bricks, and every other brick is a trigger that opens the chamber doors and prompts the guardians to attack. The brick triggers can be seen on a Detect TN 7 roll. If anyone steps on them, one or both the guardians attack (it is a 50% chance that one or both doors open). The Bronze Lion Guardian are controlled from the Scripture Hall and can move throughout the grid formed by the bricks in this chamber.  

 

BRONZE LION GUARDIANS

These creatures are made of bronze and have snarling faces of a verdigris hue. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 9 or 4 against Crossbows or similar weapons), Evade 3, Wits 0

Key Skills: Bite: 0d10 (1d10 damage), Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 2

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the guardian lions reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling them, the attacker can choose to destroy the lions with any further attacks. 

 

2. HALL OF THE BODHISATTVA

This chamber leads into the central courtyard. It is a wide barren hall containing a large wooden guardian statue of an unnamed Bodhisattva. The statue is of a robust man in robes, calmly seated. At the base of the statue is the body of a prior intruder into the temple, dressed as a soldier. His flesh is tarry and fills the chamber with a pungent death stench. He has a functional crossbow and 12 bolts. His body is filled with arrows. He also has a gourd bottle with 2 curing pills (see page 27, STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING). There are two narrow pillars that can provide some cover (+2 to evade) from the arrows.

 

WOODEN BODHISATTVA 

A tall wooden figure, seated with a calm and impassive expression. Its body can fire arrows and it can strike at targets with rigid arms. 

 

Hardiness: 5, Evade: 2, Wits: 0

Skills: Arm Strike: 1d10 (1d10 Damage), Arrows: 0d10 (2d10 Damage), Speed: 0d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Arrows: The body of the Bodhisattva is equipped with arrows that can hit multiple targets standing before it. These can be fired three times before they need reloading. They do 2d10 damage. 

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: If the Bodhisattva reaches its Max Wounds it is disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling it, the attacker can choose to destroy the wooden Bodhisattva with any further attacks. 

 

2B. BODY

A heavy stench hangs here. There is the corpse of a vagrant who wandered into the temple seeking shelter and had a ring placed upon his head by the 18^th Arhat. The ring is on the ground, still functional, but his skull is shattered from the ring. He has been here for two months rotting. 

 

CORPSE WITHOUT A SKULL

This corpse still lives, even though its skull is crushed. It cannot stand but can crawl and grip people with tremendous power. He was once a wanderer named Bei, who came to the temple hoping for a place to rest, but his skull was obliterated by the ring of the 18^th Arhat. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 5, Evade 2, Wits 1

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 2d10, Speed: 0d10, Muscle: 3d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Deathly Grip: The corpse can grip targets with crushing force using its Arm Strike, for 1d10 damage plus -1d10 to any skill affected by the damaged limb (if the attack was a success the penalty lasts 10 minutes, if a total success 1d10 hours). 

 

3. HALL OF THE 18th ARHAT

The door of this chamber opens to reveal a large room with a high ceiling. Against the wall on a set of stone steps rests a figure of bronze, a man upon a tiger. Before the shrine are thick sticks of incense that perpetually burn and never diminish. There is also a stone bowl with a pile of bright oranges containing juicy flesh. The oranges have been here since the temple was destroyed and taken on special properties. Anyone who eats them, gains +1d10 to their Speed and Muscle for 3 hours.  

 

THE 18^th ARHAT 

This statue is made from bronze and is of an Arhat Standing atop an angry tiger. He grips the tiger’s tail in one hand, but in the other holds a large ring. 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 0

Skills: Arm Strike: 1d10 (2d10 Damage), Tiger Attack: 1d10 (1d10 damage), Muscle: 2d10, Speed: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 2

 

Ring Attack: Roll 1d10 against Evade. On a Success the Arhat places his ring on the target’s head like a tiara, only once secured it crushes them every ten minutes they remain in the temple from that point forward (roll 1d10 against Hardiness, on a Success they lose 1 point of Hardiness, when they reach zero their skull is crushed and they die). Removing the ring is a Muscle TN 10 roll (one roll is allowed every ten minutes). The arhat has ten more rings he can eject from inside his body. 

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  This arhat only uses this ability after he has delivered the ring. 

 

Tiger Counter: The Arhat can unleash an attack with its tiger, when it is struck successfully. After a successful attack, roll 1d10 against the Target’s Evade. On a Success the tiger bites for 1d10 damage. 

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

4. HALL OF THE 17th ARHAT 

In this chamber is a statue of an Arhat with robes upon a dragon and protruding ribs atop a dragon. He holds a stone cup in one hand that is filled from rainwater. The roof of the building shows signs of leakage and the floors are black from mildew. Anyone entering the chamber is exposed to the spores: roll 1d10 against Hardiness, on a Success the target becomes dizzy and suffers a -2 to their Evade, which lasts until they have left the room for one minute. 

 

THE 17^th ARHAT

This Arhat is made from bronze, but looks a deep green. In his right hand he holds a stone cup containing water dense with a dark mold. He sits upon angry dragon. 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 8, Wits: 0

Skills: Arm Strike: 1d10 (1d10 Damage), Dragon Attack: 1d10 (1d10 damage), Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 1

 

Two Attacks: Every round he the Arhat and the Dragon can attack. 

 

Water Attack: The Arhat can throw water in the face of one target. Anyone hit is exposed to a deadly toxin that takes over their body. Make an Arm Strike roll against Evade. On a Success roll 1d10 against Hardiness. If this succeeds the characters flesh is infected. It begins in one area of the body and spreads every ten minutes to another, every area affected imposes an increasing -1d10 penalty to the following skills as they are overwhelmed Muscle, Speed, and Detect). When they reach -3d10 penalty their body is so mold ridden, they collapse and die. This can be reversed on a TN 10 Medicine roll (one allowed every ten minutes). 

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  This arhat only uses this ability after he has delivered the ring. 

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

5. HALL OF THE 16th ARHAT 

In this chamber there is a statue of a tall arhat with a broom standing upon a thick base. Beneath the base is a secret panel leading to the passage below. If the statue is moved, it is a Detect TN 7 to see the panel. 

 

THE 16^th ARHAT

This Arhat is tall with a look of dim-simplicity in his eyes. He holds a broom, which he can wield as a weapon, and stands on a heavy base that covers the secret passage. The base moves freely and the passage is sometimes discernable when he moves. 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 0

Skills: Broom: 1d10 (3d10 Damage), Muscle: 3d10, Speed: 0d10

 

Max Wounds: 2

 

Broom Strike: The 16^th Arhat can strike with his broom for 3d10 damage. He can also use it to trip someone to the ground on a Total Success (takes a Move to get up). 

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

5A: SECRET PASSAGE

This narrow passage is about three feet wide and five feet tall. It leads from AREA 6 to AREAS 11, 13 and 14. However it is inhabited by an invisible ghost of a monk named Chen who died during the building of the passage. As the decades went on his resentment built against the temple. This rage extends to anyone who enters his passageway. He has also developed a connection with the snakes in the tunnel that he uses to torment interlopers. Anyone in the passage has a 2 in 10 chance of encountering the ghost or his snakes (roll 1d10, on a result of 1-4 the encounter is with the Ghost, on a result of 6-10 the encounter is with the snakes). The ghost can possibly be reasoned with and provide information to the party about the temple, due to his strong dislike of the monks, but this takes some convincing. For Chen use the INVISIBLE GHOST entry in STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, page 57; for the snakes use KILLER SNAKES entry from STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, page 61). 

 

6. HALL OF THE 15th ARHAT 

This hall is like the others, large with a high ceiling, and an Arhat sitting upon a deer. Near the statue is the spot where one of the monks died of poison. However, before he died he etched a message into the wall that reads: “Control the Arhats from the scripture pavilion, lay the magician to rest”.  

 

THE 15^th ARHAT

This Arhat has a look of wisdom on his face and bushy eyebrows. He rides a deer, which is harmless but its body, if broken open, is revealed to contain 5 Longevity Pills (STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, 27). 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 0

Skills: Fist: 1d10 (1d10 Damage), Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 1

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

7. HALL OF THE 14^th ARHAT 

There is a statue here of a reclining Arhat, old and lean. He is made from wood and resting on a stone base in the shape of a banana leaf. On close inspection his hands are made of peach wood. He has awakened, becoming a spirited statue but he is shackled to the mechanisms at his base. The pipe to which he is attached feeds shafts and chains through his entire body (but can be removed if the base is dissembled). He can speak freely and will engage the party even as his body attacks, willing to help them if they can liberate him from the Scripture Pavilion by destroying his base. 

 

THE 14^th ARHAT

This Arhat statue is alive and has a mind of its own. This happened spontaneously over time, though perhaps the shape and intention behind the statue has something to do with it. He appears as an old figure, with a bald head and long ears. His physique is lean and he has an impassive expression. While he does not know his name or what he is, the statue desires to learn the dharma and cleanse the temple. The mechanisms in his body cause tremendous discomfort, so he will be thankful to any who remove them. 

 

Hardiness: 7, Evade: 7, Wits: 7

Skills: Arm Strike: 2d10 (1d10 Damage), Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 3 

 

Peach Wood Hands: His hands do 1d10 damage against normal foes but 3d10 against supernatural foes. 

 

Awakened: This Arhat statue is fully animate but still connected to the guardian system through his base. If the base is destroyed and he is detached from it, he can freely move around on his own. 

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks. He is immune to fire. 

 

8. HALL OF THE JADE YAKSHA 

This hall if made up of a tall central chamber and two wings, now in disrepair and filled with cobwebs. The middle chamber shows the legacy of flames, with charred floors from an exploding bead (see AREA 8A). In the midst of debris rises a squatting Yaksha statue of faded jade with fat outstretched palms and empty eyes. This statue is not controlled from the scripture pavilion like the others but is made from spirited jade tasked with warding away intruders. 

 

YAKSHA STATUE

This statue is of a heavyset Yaksha, squatting and presenting both its palms. It has a spark of awareness and can curse anyone with a touch. Its aim is never to kill, simply to warn and afflict. It uses slow gestures to warn people from passing it into the inner courtyard. It will not stop them but will palm strike anyone who passes or comes near it. 

 

Hardiness: 8, Evade: 2, Wits: 2

Skills: Palm Strike: 1d10 (Special), Detect: 1d10, Muscle: 6d10, Speed: 0d10 

 

Max Wounds: 7

 

Palm Strike Curse: On a successful palm strike, roll 3d10 against Hardiness. On a Success the target is afflicted with its curse. The strike does no damage but causes the heart to feel hot. This intensifies as the person goes deeper into the temple. Anyone who reaches the Scripture Pavilion, suffers the final effect of the curse, transforming into either a Yaksha Demon (if male) or a Beautiful Yasksha Demon (if female). See YAKSHA DEMONS and YAKSHA DEMONS, BEAUTIFUL, page 64, STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING. 

 

8A-B. SPIDER CHAMBERS 

These wings were once storage areas but have largely been looted, though some rotting grains of rice remain. However, they are filled with impenetrable cobwebs making visibility and entrance difficult. Any who venture into either wing without destroying the webs, suffers a -1d10 penalty to all skills while inside. Each chamber is occupied by abnormally large spiders. On the floor of chamber A is the skeleton of a demon hunter who fell victim to the resident spider. The demon hunter still wears his Exploding Beads, of which there are 10 remaining (page 29 of STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING)

 

LARGE SPIDERS 

These spiders are thin and black but their haunch rises to knee-height. They have red and black angular patterns on their bodies and their legs end in bright yellow tips. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 2, Evade 8, Wits 2

Key Skills: Web: 1d10, Bite: 0d10,  Muscle: 0d10, Speed: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 1

 

Web Attack: Roll 1d10 Against the Evade of a single target. On a Success the target is immobilized. On a Total Success the target is immobilized and can take no action at all. Breaking free from the web is a TN 5 Muscle roll.

 

Bite: On a Successful bite roll 1d10 against Hardiness. On a Success the person dies in 1d10 hours unless someone can produce a cure (a cure can be fabricated from the body of the spider on a TN 7 Medicine roll provided the user has access to basic equipment to prepare ingredients. Other cures may also be possible). 

 

9. ABBOT HALL

This was once a more complex structure but most of it burned down and only one building partially remains. But there is a table still standing and a record book written by the abbot. It kept account of the temple, chronicling events and includes details about the final days. Those who read it can learn about the guardian system, that there is a manual near its control center, the story of Black Scorpion, and how the abbot retreated to Wax Cavern to stave off the effects of the venom. 

 

10. ABBOT HALL COURTYARD (13^th ARHAT)

This courtyard is filled with debris and the wreckage of abbot hall. There is a small open-air shrine housing the 13^th Arhat here. This arhat is robust with a sack made of cloth in his grip. 

 

THE 13^th ARHAT 

This Arhat is seated but can stand. He has a wide physique, lively eyebrows and a look of cruel mirth in his eyes. He can move freely through the entire courtyard. 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 0

Skills: Palm Strike: 2d10 (2d10 Damage), Sack Attack: 2d10, Muscle: 2d10, Speed: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 4 

 

Two Attacks: The 13^th Arhat can attack up to two targets each round. 

 

Sack: Roll against target’s Evade. On a Success they are scooped into his sack. The sack can capture a limitless number of targets and hold a limitless number of objects. Escaping once captures requires a TN 10 Muscle Roll.  If cut it opens but does 4d10 damage to all in area. There is a 50% chance the sack contains a person, monster, object or combination of all three. 

 

Palms Attacks: The palm attacks do 2d10 damage on a normal success. On a Total Success they do 2d10 damage and stun the target, reducing their speed by -2d10 for one round (and reducing their turn order by 4).  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

INNER COURTYARD 

This area had four alcoves, each containing an Arhat (each labeled 11A-D). There is a central pavilion (Sage of the Sakya Pavilion), the Script Pavilion in the rear, a cavern entrance in the north west corner, and another cavern entrance behind 11D. These Arhats are each likely to attack once anyone enters the area (but remember only one can be operated at a time). 

 

11. SAGE OF THE SAKYA PAVILION 

Here is a large, seated statue of The Buddha that is 12 feet tall. On either side are statues of two 12 feet tall standing figures, one cradling a short blade, the other clasped hands. This area is a sanctuary. None of the creatures in the temple would dare venture inside. The blade in the statue’s hands is exceedingly sharp, a gift from the prefectural magistrate when the temple was built. It functions like a normal sword, doing Muscle+1d10 damage, but the sharpness effectively lowers the target’s Hardiness by 3 when rolling damage. 

 

11A. THE 12^th ARHAT

This Arhat has a distracted expression and is cleansing his ear with a finger, his other hand is poised with a digit to clean his other ear.  

THE 12th ARHAT 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 0

Skills: Stabbing Finger: 1d10 (2d10 Damage), Muscle: 2d10, Speed: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Stabbing Finger: This finger can be used to stab, draining 1 Hardiness in addition normal damage. However, it can also use its fingers to puncture ears on a successful attack instead of doing damage (if it damages one ear the target takes -2d10 to all Detect rolls related to hearing, if it damages both, the target can no longer hear at all). 

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

11B. THE 11^th ARHAT

This Arhat statue looks younger than the others. And seems lost in contemplation. Though seemingly calm, this statue is capable of surprisingly agile attacks. 

THE 11th ARHAT 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 0

Skills: Fist: 1d10 (1d10 Damage), Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 3d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Counter: This statue can counter melee and other close range attacks, deflecting blows and launching a strike of its own. Roll 1d10 against the attack roll. On a success it blocks the attack and delivers a fist strike (roll as usual). 

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

11C. THE 10^th ARHAT 

This Arhat has his hands raised above his head, as if coming out of a deep meditative state. His mouth is yawning and can release a trance inducing chime. It has a trace of intellect, seeming to delight in causing harm. 

THE 10th ARHAT

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 2

Skills: Fist: 1d10 (1d10 Damage), Chime: 1d10, Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 3d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Chime: He issues a resounding ring that washes over people and distorts their perceptions. Roll 1d10 against the Wits of all in hearing range. Those affected begin to misperceive friend from foe. When they attack a target there is a 1 in 5 chance that they attack an ally instead. 

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

11D. THE 9^th ARHAT

This Arhat statue guards the entrance to the wax cavern. He is seated with a compassionate expression and opens his chest to reveal an image of the Buddha. Those who look at the Buddha image begin to stare and can’t look away and are eventually lulled into a deep sleep. 

         THE 9th ARHAT

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 0

Skills: Fist: 1d10 (2d10 Damage), Heart of Buddha: 1d10, Muscle: 2d10, Speed: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Heart of Buddha: Roll 1d10 against the Wits of any who look in the direction of The 9^th Arhat. On a success the target can’t look away and feels no desire to act (to act this round they must make a Reasoning roll TN 7). On a Total Success the target falls asleep for 1d10 minutes.  

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

12. WAX CAVERN

This chamber is a small cavern that is so named because the rocks here resemble wax. They are quite solid but have the appearance and sheen of candles. It is here that Tranquility came to stave off the effects of the poison in his final days. His body is nearly perfectly preserved, not quite dead, and mummified by the elements. It rests in the back of the chamber and has traces of life remaining. Though terrifying to behold, he is kind and can offer the characters advice if they are willing to listen. The GM should play up how menacing he first appears. 

 

TRANQUILITY 

Tranquility has been in a prolonged state of meditation, unconcerned about the dangers lurking in the temple. In the time he has spent meditating, Tranquility understands that the temple twisted the meaning of the Arhats and was overzealous in protecting the scriptures with cruel guardians. He needs neither food nor drink and his flesh clings to his bones like parchment. He is not familiar with events that transpired after he sought seclusion in the cave but can provide useful information about the temple and has some abilities that can aid the party. Due to his frailty, he is unlikely to survive should he give assistance. His voice is very feeble and sounds ghastly, like a death rattle. If Tranquil is killed, he rises as an undead servant of the Black Scorpion.

 

Defenses: Hardiness 2, Evade 2, Wits 7

Skills: Arm Strike: 0d10, Leg Strike: 0d10, Detect: 0d10, Survival: 3d10, Command: 3d10, Ritual: 3d10, Medicine: 1d10, Muscle: 0d10, Speed: 0d10, Creatures: 1d10, Religion: 3d10

 

Max Wounds: 1

Magic: Demon Sutra, Blood Against the Demons

 

CORPSE OF TRANQUILITY 

If Tranquility becomes a corpse, he serves the will of the Black Scorpion and hungers for human flesh. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 5, Evade 5, Wits 2

Skills: Arm Strike: 1d10, Bite: 1d10 (2d10 Damage), Leg Strike: 0d10, Detect: 0d10, Muscle: 2d10, Speed: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

13. BLACK SCORPION GROTTO

This expansive area of stark white stone is warm and opens into shallow pools where the Scorpion baths its body. It has steeped so long in the waters that they have healing properties. Anyone who rests in them heals 1 wound every hour. 

 

THE BLACK SCORPION

This scorpion is 6 feet long with a shiny black exoskeleton and long pincers. Though intelligent, the Black Scorpion does not communicate or use language. It can affect those under its controlled through will. It desires to forever plague the temple grounds and keep its monks as servants for their crimes against the Magician. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 8, Evade 7, Wits 5

Skills: Sting: 0d10 or 2d10 if in pincers, Pincers: 3d10, Muscle: 1d10, Speed: 3d10, Command: 1d10, Survival: 3d10

 

Max Wounds: 9

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: The Scorpion is immune to normal weapons and only affected by magic. It is also susceptible to peach wood. 

 

Pincers: Its pincers are more for holding people in place. On a Successful Pincer attack it does 0d10 damage but has the target gripped and can deliver a free 2d10 attack with its stinger. 

 

Sting: Its sting can reach targets ten feet away. Roll 0d10 against Evade (2d10 if it has the target in its pincers). On a Success the sting does 1d10 damage and afflicts the target with venom. Those stung die in 1d10 days. Anyone killed by the venom rises as an undead servant of the scorpion. If the scorpion consumes the corpse, the spirit returns as a Black Kite in service to it. This also causes the Scorpion to grow in size and power.

 

Command: The Black Scorpion commands the Flesh Eating Black Kites and the corpses in the temple. 

 

14A: PAVILIAN ENTRANCE 

The entrance to this pavilion is sealed and the building remains in good repair. The walls have Hardiness 8 and 5 Wounds for the purposes of breaching. The door requires a TN 5 Theft roll to pick open, or a TN 7 Trade roll to open, or a TN 10 Muscle roll to force open. 

 

14. SCRIPTURE PAVILION 

This is the first story of the structure housing the temple’s scriptures. The back of the chamber has stairs going to the next level. In the center of the chamber is a golden Bodhisatva, its body layered in a dense coating of spikes. Its mouth opens and draws in heavy breaths that suck people against its spikes. When the statue draws in air, the characters must make an opposed Muscle roll against its 1d10 breath roll to remain in place or reach the stairs without getting sucked to the statue.  

 

Secret Panel: The Golden Bodhisatva has a secret panel on its back that is found if anyone inspects it closely (otherwise TN 8 Detect). This contains 20 pills of Heavenly Growth (see page 106 of STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING). 

 

GOLDEN BODHISATVA

This statue is several meters high and broad. It can’t move its limbs, but it can draw in air with great force when it opens its mouth. 

 

Hardiness: 9, Evade: 2, Wits: 0

Skills: Breath: 1d10, Speed: 0d10

 

Max Wounds: 5

 

Breath: Make an opposed 1d10 roll against Muscle roll of the target. If it succeeds the target smashes into the statue for 1d10 damage. On a Total Success the target smashes into the statue for 2d10 damage. It takes a successful muscle roll to extract oneself from the statue. 

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: If the Bodhisattva reaches its Max Wounds it is disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling it, the attacker can choose to destroy the Bodhisattva with any further attacks. 

 

15. SCRIPTURE PAVILION LEVEL ONE (ARHATS 8-6)

There are three Arhat statues here made dense bronze. Unlike the other Arhats, they can all be controlled at the same time from the Scripture Cabinet. Because they possess a spark of intelligence they contribute a will of their own to any conflict. 

 

ARHATS 8-6

These arhats are painted with brilliant colors and nearly 14 feet tall. The 8^th Arhat Rides an Elephant, the 7^thArhat cradles a lion and is seated, and the 6^th holds a book in one hand and has a tiger at his feet. Each of the Arhats is protected by their animal, using them to counter attacks. 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 2

Skills: Fist: 1d10 (3d10 Damage), Animal: 1d10, Muscle: 3d10, Speed: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Lion and Tiger Counters: The Arhat can unleash an attack with its tiger or lion, when it is struck successfully. After a successful attack, roll 1d10 against the Target’s Evade. On a Success the tiger bites for 1d10 damage. 

 

Elephant Counter: The elephant doesn’t block an attack but retaliates with a stream of acid from its trunk. Roll 1d10 against Evade. On a Success the target’s flesh is eaten away causing 1d10 damage and suffers a permanent -1d10 penalty to persuade. On a Total Success they suffer a permanent -2d10 penalty to Persuade. 

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

16. SCRIPTURE PAVILION LEVEL 2 (ARHATS 5-2)

In this chamber are four Arharts, made from a combination of bronze and jade. Unlike most of the other Arhats, these can all be controlled at the same time from the scripture cabinet. These Arhats are more aware than the others. Their facial expressions and eye movements are life-like. 

 

ARHATS 5-2

The 5^th Arhat is seated, clutching large prayer beads. The 4^th holds a tall golden pagoda in his left hand and his right hand extends forward ready to snap his fingers, The 3^rd Arhat stands on one leg with a begging bowl, the Second Arhart appears joyous and his arms are extended. 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 3

Skills: Fist: 1d10 (3d10 Damage), Ranged: 1d10, Muscle: 3d10, Speed: 1d10, Begging Bowl: 2d10, Ritual: 0d10, Talent: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 3

 

Bead Attack: The 5^th Arhat has prayer beads. These prayer beads can be thrown at targets and explode for 3d10 damage. 

 

Finger Snap: With the snap of his fingers, the 4^th Arhat can cause people to shrink to the size of his thumbnail so he may house them in his pagoda as pets. Roll Ritual 0d10 against both Wits, Evade and Hardiness (one roll against all three). On a Success the target turns into a Thimble Sized man and is sucked inside the pagoda (where there are already 1d10 other people being housed. The 4^th Arhat supplies his pets with regular food and water and tries to thwart any escape attempts. 

 

Bowl: The 3^rd Arhat can draw other people’s items into his begging bowl. He can target one object each round. Make an opposed 2d10 roll against the Muscle of the target. On a Success the item it pulled through the air into the begging bowl. 

 

Song of the Heart: The 2^nd Arhat sings a song that causes the those affected to feel nauseous and dizzy. Roll 1d10 against Hardiness. On a Success the GM should secretly lower the target’s Hardiness by 1. On a Total Success lower it by 2. When the target reaches 0 Hardiness, his or her heart is sucked out of their chest and into the hands of the 2^nd Arhat. 

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

17. SCRIPTURE CABINET HALL 

This chamber houses a tall rotating scripture cabinet, which contains a range of key sutras, teachings on doctrine and the life of The Buddha. It forms the epicenter of the guardian system in the temple. There is a wooden seat connected to the back of the cabinet, which faces a panel of levers and cranks that control the guardians through chain drives that power shafts running beneath the floor. Upon this seat, reposes the corpse of a monk, in full command of the device. Protecting them both is the First Arhat. 

 

Controlling the Guardians: The Guardians can be controlled from the command center on a successful Trade skill. Inside the rotating scripture cabinet is a bound tome, alleging to be written by Su Song, that explains how to control the command center. Anyone attempting to do so without the knowledge from this book, does so at a -2d10 Penalty. While the book takes time to read, a Scholar can use their Frantic Research ability to understand the basics of the command center from the book in the heat of combat. One guardian can be controlled at a time except when otherwise noted. 

 

THE 1^st ARHAT 

The 1^st Arhat has long eyebrows down to his knees and is seated in a chair. He is 15 feet tall and can spin around like a top to attack. As he spins his eyebrows slice through the air like razor. 

 

Hardiness: 9 or 4 against Crossbows (see weaknesses), Evade: 7, Wits: 3

Skills: Fist: 1d10 (2d10 Damage), Ranged: 1d10, Muscle: 2d10, Speed: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 4

 

Eyebrows: Make a 1d10 roll against Evade of up to 2 targets. On a Success roll 2d10 Damage. On a Total Success he slices off the target’s head. If the damage roll on a normal success does 1 Wound and the target loses a random limb (1-5 an arm, 6-10 a leg). 

 

Bronze Fists: The attacks of the Bronze Arhats do normal damage, but on a Total Success they shake the target to the core, reducing Muscle by 1 rank for 1 hour.  

 

Immunities and Weaknesses: Their bodies are susceptible to weapons that more easily pierce armor such as crossbows, lowering their Hardiness from 9 to 4. When the Arhats reach their Max Wounds they are disabled but can be repaired with a TN 7 Trade skill roll. After disabling an Arhat, the attacker can choose to destroy them with any further attacks.

 

MONK CORPSE

In life this monk was named Wisdom, who was poised to succeed the abbot as head of the temple. Unlike the other monks, he voluntarily formed a pact with the Scorpion to serve it forever, rather than face a pitiful end like his brethren. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 5, Evade 6, Wits 8

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 3d10 (2d10 Damage), Death Cackle: 1d10, Speed: 2d10, Muscle: 2d10, Trade: 3d10, Religion: 2d10, Read Script: 3d10, Institutions: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 5

 

Death Cackle: His nightmarish laughter fills people with dread and even propels an unlucky few to an early grave. Roll 1d10 against Wits. On a Success he shakes anyone who hears to the core, causing them to suffer a -4 on their Turn Order and a -1d10 to Combat skills. On a Total Success Roll individually against each target again. If this gets a success the target begins laughing and heaving until they vomit up their own guts. This lasts 1d10 rounds and each round the victim must make a Muscle roll against the Monk’s result. Every round the target fails, he or she vomits up guts and loses a wound. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FROG GOD’S DAUGHTER

Playtesters: Kenny Yeung and Ryan Turner 

Reader: Adam Baulderstone 

 

This is a short Strange Tales of Songling scenario, intended for a party of 2-4 players, with level 4-7 characters. It is set up so that there isn’t an overarching path or plot, and there is no series of clues to follow (the PCs can get all the basic information at the start for the most part). It is mainly about how the players choose to engage the situation unfolding in and around a small village. Brevity was prioritized to keep the scenario easy to read during play. The GM should be prepared to play NPCs and ad-lib details on the fly as needed. 

This adventure was inspired by the story The Frog Deity, in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Sonlgling. I encourage GMs to read it if they can. I tried to take the inspiration in a more horror-oriented direction suitable for an adventure at the table, but in the original story the drama is much more domestic and subdued. One aspect I find entertaining about the story is the scholar’s reckless obstinacy towards his frog deity father-in-law, risking catastrophic consequences to win what is essentially a spat between him and his wife (who is the gods daughter). I tried to retain that element with the characterization of the villagers. 

Be sure to check out last week's halloween adventure, The Bride of Liao Manor. 

 

ADJUSTING TO PARTY LEVEL

For higher-level parties you can make the scenario more challenging by having Feng Hua’s two children return and assist him. If you want to make the adventure easier don’t roll Survival or random encounters (a random encounter with a bear can be incredibly lethal, for example). 

Art by Jackie Musto

 

HOOK

The players hear rumors of disappearances in Kun Ji village. When they arrive, they see Yuwen Manor is burned to the ground and learn that for the past two months villagers have been disappearing in the nearby woods where they often to gather nuts from wax trees to make candles and dye. Because the nuts in the orchards nearby the village have been rotting, this has forced them to venture deeper into the woods. The villagers ask for the player’s help in dealing with the angry frog deity they believe is taking revenge for events that happened at Yuwen Manor (see BACKGROUND). 

 

SYNOPSIS 

The players come to Kun Ji village where they look into recent disappearances and quickly learn that an angry frog god, Hua Feng, is eating the locals as retribution for the death of his daughter and son-in-law. The god continues devouring villagers threatening to eat more if the killer isn’t brought to justice. The Swordsman who is responsible for the deaths is hiding in a nearby monastery (where he discovered a talisman that may help him subdue Hua Feng). The players can choose to hunt and destroy Hua Feng on their own, listen to the god’s demand (and potentially save those trapped in its belly), join with or go after the demon hunter or take any number of approaches they wish. 

 

BACKGROUND

A scholar, Yuwen Chen, who just passed the exams and was about to receive his first post, offended the frog god at Hue Feng Temple. The frog god sent his daughter, Hua Mu, to see the scholar and demand compensation. She found Yuwen Chen handsome and decided to marry him, knowing her father would find the scholar a worthy son-in-law. Yuwen Chen was already married to a woman named Yin Shanlin but was convinced by the Frog God’s daughter to divorce his wife. Yuwen Chen and Hua Mu married and lived happily until her presence in the town led to an overabundance of frogs. The creatures began bubbling up all over, appearing in in bowls, beds, basins and creating a nuisance. Knowing Hua Mu’s true nature, Yin Shanling stirred up anger and convinced the people of their village that the new bride was a demon. They hired a demon hunter, Swordsman Shi, to kill her and the scholar. He ended up locking them both in Yuwen Manor and setting it ablaze. Now the Frog God, Hua Feng, angry over the death of his daughter and son-in-law devours villagers and keeps them in his belly till he gets his justice. Should a year pass with no resolution those he ate will be transformed into Frog Spirits. 

 

ENTERING THE VILLAGE AND RUNNING THE ADVENTURE 

This adventure is one where the players show up in the village and will quickly learn the basic facts of what happened. They should be able to engage the situation however they wish, and the GM should freely control the NPCs and creatures in ways that move the adventure forward. Generally, the only secret, which is known to Yin Shanlin, is that the Swordsman Shi is hiding at Black Tree Monastery. Other than that, everyone is forthcoming. The town is divided over what happened at Yuwen Manor, but everyone is open about the basic events. First night in village players can have a dream of the Frog God expressing his anger over the death of his daughter and desire for justice. 

 

Hua Feng has a very clear sense of what he wants to obtain justice. The most important thing is the head of Swordsman Shi. But if the players can propose other solutions, such as resurrecting his daughter and son-in-law, he would be appeased. See his entry for details. If he meets the party or appears in their dreams, he is likely to say things like “Bring the head Swordsman Shi to my shrine”. 

 

If you want the adventure to flow faster or if you want to reduce the difficulty you can ignore the Survival Rolls for traveling through the region and rely more on fiat encounters. Be sure to use the map below. 

 

Use Hua Feng’s Frog Swarm and Abundance abilities creatively to create atmosphere and interesting situations. He is a god and will use his powers to manipulate foes into doing his bidding. The players may see fruit on trees decay suddenly or overflow with bugs and maggots, their blankets turn into frogs at night, etc. 

 

Read through all the entries below at least twice so you can respond to what the players do as the adventure unfolds. Remember that the NPCs and monsters are active participants in the scenario. 

 

ENCOUNTERS IN THE REGION

If you use encounters, have players make Survival rolls every hour of travel. Use the TNs on the map for encounters every hour and roll on the following tables based on region: 

 

HUO PEAK

Roll 1d10            Result

1-2                      Bears*

3-5                      Small Falling Hazard (Athletics TN 6 or 1d10 damage)

6-7                      Large Falling Hazard (Athletics TN 6 or 2d10 damage)

8                         Obstruction

9-10                    Swordsman Shi

 

BLACK TREE FOREST 

Roll 1d10            Result

1-4                      Wolves 1d10 halved**

5                          Bear*

6-10                    Hua Feng (See HUA FENG TEMPLE)

 

HUANTED WOODS

Roll 1d10            Result

1                         Tiger

2-3                      Tiger Minion Ghost 

4-7                      Wolves 1d10 halved**

8-9                      Bear* 

7-10                    Guan Yang (See THE HAUNTED WOODS OF YANG MANOR) 

 

*Treat as Bears of Intelligence, page 59 of STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING, but treat Wits as 3

**Roll 1d10 and divide result in two for the number of wolves. Use Dog Spirit Stats on page 47 of STRANGE TALES OF SONGLING but treat Wits as 3 and remove their powers. 

KUN JI VILLAGE

Authority: Magistrate Ta of Pianyuan County Seat 

County: Pianyuan County  

Leadership: Headman Wang Xue (elected for year by magistrate Ta); 7 Stalwart men selected from among the villagers 

Exports: Lamps, candles, Wax-Tree Oil, dye, lacquer 

Common Surnames: Wang, Hu, Yin and Yuwen

Population: 250

 

This is a small village known for its quality candles, lacquer and dye, which it exports to the town of Pianyuan. They organize teams of 8-16 people to gather wax tree nuts in the forest regularly. The people of this town were fomented against Scholar Chen and his wife, Hua Mu by Yin Shanlin. They worked with Swordsman Shi to lock them in their abode and burn it to the ground, killing the couple (See BLACK TREE MONASTERY). The locals believe they were under threat by a frog spirit and now that folks have started to go missing, they are worried the Frog God of Hua Feng Temple is getting revenge. All the villagers who have gone missing were taken while in the woods gathering black wax tree nuts. One villager, Hu Yuanchen, saw Yin Ze get eaten in the woods by a giant bronze frog. The villagers all know the local geography, including the location of the alchemist Guan Yang in the Haunted Forest of Yang Manor (they regard him as a magician), the location of Black Tree Monastery (though only Yin Shanlin knows that Swordsman Shi is staying there), and the location of Hua Feng temple (though they rarely go there). 

 

Yuwen Chen and Hua Mu are both buried just outside the village. 

 

Missing Villagers (F=Female, M=Male): Hu Tai, M (two months ago); Wang Yuyan, F (One month ago); Yin Zi, F (two weeks ago); Yin Nansheng, F (two weeks ago); Wang Yuan, M (one week ago), Yuwen Qi, F (today)

 

The villagers are divided over what to do: some want to hand Swordsman Shi to the frog god or present his head at an offering at Hua Feng temple, others want to pay the swordsman to finish off the frog god. Everyone is certain their course of action is the just and right way to proceed. 

 

Villagers of Note:

 

Wang Xue: The leader of the village, selected by Magistrate Ta. Wang Xue is concerned they may have committed a grave act when they invited Swordsman Shi to deal with Hua Mu. His priority is the protection of the village, so he is willing to help the PCs with information or the assistance of his stalwart men. Wang Yue knows that Guan Yang, who resides nearby, is a powerful sorcerer. 

 

Hu Yuanchen: A local lamp artisan, Hu Yuanchen was helping gather black wax tree nuts two weeks ago when he saw Yin Zi get eaten by the giant bronze frog. He made offerings to Hua Feng but the offerings turned into maggots. He knows Guan Yang and is aware he can raise the dead. 

 

Yin Shanlin: This is the ex-wife of Yuwen Chen. Of all the villagers, she is most obstinate in her defiance of the frog god. She set the village against her former husband and his new wife, Hua Mu, because of the humiliation caused by their sudden divorce. She was the one who sent for Swordsman Shi and she also knows that he is presently in the Black Tree Monastery. She brings him supplies periodically but has not succeeded in convincing him to return to the village to deal with the present threat. Each week Swordsman Shi gives her a paper talisman that makes her invisible to the frog god. She is beginning to see Swordsman Shi as a potential husband. 

 

VILLAGE STALWART MEN (7)

These are local men from a range of professions selected to serve Wang Xu as needed. They help maintain order and protect the village. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 6, Evade 5, Wits 6

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 1d10 (1d10 Damage), Melee: 1d10, Detect: 1d10, Speed: 1d10, Muscle: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 2

Equipment: Cudgels (3d10 Damage)

 

BLACK TREE MONASTERY 

This is a ruined monastery with just a handful of halls that remain standing. It is abandoned. One of the buildings was an old dormitory for the monks and is where Swordsman Shi is camping. The other is an old library containing a stone seal that can be used to bind a spirit, demon or god to a particular place. The only problem is it is currently being used to bind another creature, so Swordsman Shi is debating whether to remove it from place or not.  

 

SHI ZHANHAO (SWORDSMAN SHI)

Brash and hot tempered, Swordsman Shi lives to kill demons and spirits. His sisters, Sha and Zhen were both eaten by a Spirited Bear. He slayed the bear that killed them and wears its hide as a robe. Recently he was hired by Kun Ji Village to kill the frog spirit, Hua Mu. In the chaos he killed both her and her husband. 

 

Swordsman Shi knows about the Frog God coming to terrorize the village. He is taking his time deciding whether to bring the black tree seal to contend with him. He is formulating a plan to use the seal against Hua Feng. Ultimately, he will choose to leave the seal in place, but can be persuaded to change his mind. He has no remorse for killing Hua Mu or her husband, believing Yuwen Chen got what he deserved for marrying a Frog spirit. He has grown fond of Yin Shanlin and gives her paper talismans of invisibility to protect her. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 5, Evade 5, Wits 7

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 2d10, Melee: 2d10, Ranged: 2d10, Survival: 2d10, Ritual: 3d10, Theft: 1d10, Trade: 1d10, Muscle: 3d10, Command: 1d10, Creatures: 2d10, Religion: 1d10

 

Path: Demon Hunter

Level: 7

Max Wounds: 2

Equipment: Spirited Bear Robe, Sword, Curing Pills (2)

 

Kung Fu/Magic: Flight of the Sword, Neck Cleaving Strike, Paper Talisman of Invisibility, Exploding Talisman, Paper Talisman of Demon Warding 

 

Spirited Bear Robe: This robe protects Swordsman Shi. It takes two consecutive damage rolls to harm him while he is wearing it. 

 

Paper Talisman of Invisibility: You make a paper talisman that makes you invisible to a category of monster (i.e. Fish Demons, Frog Spirits, etc). It takes 2 hours to make using a Ritual Roll. On a Success it can be placed on a person and they will be invisible to creatures of that type. It only lasts one week, and you can only wear one such talisman at a time. 

 

THE BLACK TREE SEAL

This stone seal has numerous strange characters on it and is fitted amid the bricks lining the floor of the library hall. It can keep any creature bound to a place so long as the being is within the parameters of the location in question when it is put in place and someone makes a Ritual roll against the wits of the creature. Because it is currently being used to suppress another entity, if it is removed, the imprisoned being escapes. Roll on the following table to see what kind of creature is being imprisoned by the seal: 

Roll 1d10  Result

1               Hungry Fox Spirit

2               Invisible Ghost

3               Hellbound Beast Skin

4               Jiangshi

5               Mountain Troll Spirit 

6               Yaksha Demon 

7               Spider Demon 

8               Spirited Tiger

9               Punishing Fox Spirit 

10             Dormant Beast  

 

The monks of the temple are all dead save one. You can make a backstory on the fly based on the random result that makes sense.

 

THE HAUNTED WOODS OF YANG MANOR 

This forest of tall poplar trees, growing as high as 60 meters, is famous for a prowling beast that feasts on human flesh. At the center of the woods is the old manor of Guan Yang a powerful alchemist seeking immortality in seclusion. In truth, Yang is the beast that hunts these woods, the product of an elixir that bestowed longevity by dividing his soul. However, he is capable of resurrecting people from the dead so could help the party if they seek him.

 

When anyone enters the woods, there is a 1 in 10 chance Guan Yang is hunting them in his Forest Troll form. 

 

GUAN YANG 

Guan Yang is an alchemist seeking immortality, but also a skilled physician with friendly disposition. In addition to seeking immortality himself, he has been conducting experiments to extend and enhance the lives of others. If the players explain the situation, he can use his rejuvenation elixir and Petition the King of Hell Ritual to restore the couple to life. He is almost 200 years old but looks no older than fifty. He suffers from a strange condition caused by one of his elixirs. Seemingly at random, he changes into a Mountain Troll that feeds on human meat. Every 2 hours there is a 1 in 10 chance that he transforms for 3 hours into this being. If he eats human meat, he can forgo this transformation for a full 2 days. 

 

Guan Yang conceals his condition from people to the point of recklessness. Should he transform in the presence of others, he will take the one moment of clarity before the change starts to warn people to run away. 

 

He has a bottle of Guan Yang’s Rejuvenation Elixir prepared and it was made successfully. This can be paired with his Petition the Hell King spell to truly raise someone from the dead. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 3, Evade 4, Wits 8

Key Skills: Arm Strike: 0d10, Medicine: 3d10, Divination: 1d10, Alchemy: 3d10, Ritual: 3d10, Command: 2d10, Persuade: 2d10, Reasoning: 1d10, Creatures: 1d10, Read Script: 1d10

 

Path: Ritual Master 

Level: 10

Max Wounds: 1

Rituals: Demon and Spirit Powder, False Coins, Food Protection, Rotting Death, Forgetting Fog, Find, Invisibility Talisman, Spiritual Defense, Summon Spirited Beast, Petition to the King of Hell

Substances: Guan Yang’s Rejuvenation Elixir, Perfect Longevity Elixir

 

Guan Yang’s Rejuvenation Elixir (Level Requirement: 8): This requires an Alchemy TN 8 roll to make and takes a full year to produce. On a Success, it creates an oil that can restore the dead for ten days if it is applied to their bones. On a Failure, it creates a substance that causes the dead to rise up as Jiangshi. There is enough in one elixir for two bodies.

 

Perfect Longevity (Level Requirement 4): This is a very good longevity substance but it has a potential side effect. Each use can add years to a person’s life but when you make it there is no way of knowing how successful it was till it is drunk. It is TN 8 to make, on a Success, it adds 50 years to life. On a Total Success, it adds 100 years. On a Failure, it causes the drinker to turn into a Mountain Troll for 2 hours periodically. 

 

Petition to the King of Hell (level Requirement: 10): This requires a Ritual TN 6 if used on bodies raised by Guan Yang’s Longevity substance. When used on normal bodies the TN is 10. Roll Ritual and on a success the dead are restored. On a Failure the King of Hell is irate, refusing to raise the dead and demanding the petitioner perform an earthly service (often something very dangerous and difficult). 

 

FOREST TROLL FORM

In Forest Troll form, Guan Yang’s body and limbs lengthen and turn a dark blue color. His face twists into a groaning maw of razor-sharp teeth, and his hands grow long black claws. His mind is reduced to a state of pure hunger and rage. This state lasts for three hours. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 7, Evade 7, Wits 2

Key Skills: Bite: 2d10 (2d10 Damage), Claws: 3d10 (Damage 1d10), Speed: 2d10, Muscle: 3d10, Detect: 3d10, Athletics: 2d10

 

Max Wounds: 4

 

POWERS

Claws: He can attack up to two targets each round with his claws. 

 

HUA FENG TEMPLE 

This is an old temple dedicated to Hua Feng the Frog God. He only occasionally receives offerings, and usually prefers peace and quiet. The temple is little more than a stone hall with a shrine housing a large bronze frog. There are alcoves where his children’s statues were also housed, but they are all away or dead. 

 

HUA FENG 

Hua Feng is a frog deity who normally takes the form of a giant bronze frog at the shrine of his temple. In this form he can swallow men whole and retain them in his stomach for as long as he wishes. He is filled with rage towards Kun Ji village and presently roams the forests looking for villagers to consume. 

 

Hua Feng had three children, Hua Mu, Hua Meng and Hua Ma (his only son). Both Ma and Meng are traveling together in the north. His other daughter, Hua Mu was killed, along with his son-in-law, Yuwen Chen, by Swordsman Shi at the behest of the people of Kun Ji Village. He is seething with anger and wants revenge or justice. The marriage of his daughter to Yuwen Chen pleased Hua Feng greatly. He had contemplated visiting the couple in human form, when news reached him of their murders. His grief is deep and painful. 

 

In addition to his giant frog form, Hua Feng can also take human form when he wishes, but rarely desires to do so. When he does, he dresses in splendid red robes and has wide handsome features.

 

Appeasing Hua Feng: Hua Feng can be appeased if he feels justice has been served. This could be achieved if the head of the demon hunter who killed his daughter and son-in-law is delivered to him. It could also be achieved if his daughter and son-in-law were resurrected. He may also be amenable to another marriage with one of his two children but would still likely demand some form of compensation on top of such an arrangement. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 10 or 5 against fire, Evade 4, Wits 7

Key Skills: Bite: 2d10 (2d10 Open Damage), Swallow: 2d10 (Special), Crush: 1d10 (3d10 damage), Speed: 2d10, Detect: 2d10, Muscle: 3d10, Command: 3d10, Medicine: 1d10, Poison: 3d10, Religion: 3d10, Survival: 3d10, Divination: 3d10, Institutions: 2d10, Creatures: 2d10, History: 2d10, Classics: 2d10, Places: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 8

POWERS

Abundance: Hua Feng can make the lands fertile in the area around his shrine and the village. He can also affect the health of trees, including the black wax trees. 

 

Dream Speak: He can speak in peoples dreams. 

 

Command Frogs: The Frog God can command swarms of frogs to do his bidding (see FROG SWARMS below). 

 

Bite: Hua Feng can choose to bite for 2d10 damage but rarely does so. 

 

Swallow: Anyone swallowed by the Frog God is trapped inside until he is destroyed or decides to release them. His belly can hold an endless number of people. If they remain in his belly for a full year, they transform into Frog Spirits. He can always release them at will. If he is destroyed, they are released by take the same damage as the attack that kills him. 

 

Crush: Hua Feng can crush or ram people for 3d10 damage. 

 

Immunities: Hua Feng is immune to Mundane and Kung Fu attacks but harmed by

but harmed by magic and fire (against Fire his Hardiness is reduced to 5).

 

Shape Change: Hua Feng can take the form of a giant bronze frog, a man or a normal frog.

 

FROG SWARMS 

Frog Swarms are more a nuisance than a direct threat. They can keep people up all night by croaking, swarm PCs and blind their senses, etc. Hua Feng can produce as many frogs as he wishes, and have them do whatever he wants. Use this ability creatively. Generally, it should not cause physical damage to the party but can hinder them or impose skill penalties. 

 

HUA MENG AND HUA MA

Huang Meng and Hua Ma are the frog spirit children of Hua Feng. Both can assume the forms of humans, frogs or large bronze frogs. In human form they have pleasing features, though they are vaguely froglike. Wherever they reside, frogs are sure to appear in great numbers. 

 

Defenses: Hardiness 8 or 3 against fire, Evade 4, Wits 6

Key Skills: Bite: 1d10 (1d10 Damage), Ram: 1d10 (2d10 damage), Speed: 2d10, Detect: 2d10, Muscle: 2d10, Command: 1d10, Medicine: 2d10, Poison: 1d10, Alchemy: 2d10, Religion: 1d10, Survival: 1d10, Divination: 1d10, Institutions: 1d10, Creatures: 1d10, History: 1d10, Classics: 1d10

 

Max Wounds: 4

Equipment: Swords

Kung Fu: Leaping Strike 

 

POWERS

Bite: They can bite for 1d10 damage 

 

Ram: In bronze frog form they can ram people for 2d10 damage. 

 

Immunities: Hua Feng is immune to Mundane and Kung Fu attacks but harmed by

but harmed by magic and fire (against Fire his Hardiness is reduced to 5).

 

Shape Change: They can assume the shape of large bronze frogs, humans or frogs.